KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is requesting the government to include the parliamentary select committee’s role in the proposed amendments to the Audit Act 1957, which is expected to be tabled next year.

“The Auditor-General have informed that the government plans to amend the Audit Act 1957 next year and the PAC is requesting the government to include its role and responsibilities in the amendments,” PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said during a press conference in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 22).

She said legal advice will also be sought over the matter.

“I believe that if there are engagements from time to time, we can discuss,” she said.

“It is good to forge cooperation for the future,” she added.

She said this is important to ensure that the PAC is able to execute its duties effectively and efficiently.

In 2019, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration planned to amend the Act to give more authority and clout to the Auditor-General.

Dr Mahathir then said that the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption agreed with several recommendations to strengthen the independence of the National Audit Department.

This includes amending the Audit Act so that the auditor-general can act independently,” he said after chairing the meeting here yesterday.

Dr Mahathir said although the department is under the Prime Minister’s Department, the prime minister has no authority over the auditor-general.

“What has happened in the past was that the prime minister directs the auditor-general to audit this and not to audit that. That is wrong.

“The auditor-general must be free to take action that he thinks fit,” he said.